🌱 Chicago Passes Omicron Peak + New Testing Site At DePaul

Happy Friday! Let's get to the latest news in Lakeview.

First, today's weather: Turning sunny; not as cold. High: 26 Low: 18.

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Here are the top 4 stories today in Lakeview:

1. Chicago has surpassed the peak of the omicron surge, according to Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. She emphasized that “hospitals remain stretched” as more people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Illinois than ever before. (WTTW)

2. Lakeview’s hospitalizations remain high, with some hospitals reporting less than 10 percent availability for ICU beds. On Thursday, more than 200 COVID-19 patients were admitted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. (Patch)

3. The city is seeking feedback about a new project that would create a “low-stress bicycle connection” between the North Shore Channel and Lakefront trails. The Chicago Department of Transportation proposed the Leland Avenue Greenway to make it easier for cyclists to cross through high-traffic areas. (Block Club)

4. A new COVID-19 test site launched Thursday on DePaul University’s Loop campus. Tests will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays inside the Barnes & Noble at 333 S. State St. (Paid source: Sun-Times)

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Today in Lakeview:

• Tuman’s Tap and Grill celebrates the launch of the new IPA Hopslam Ale. (4 p.m.)
• Old Crow offers take-home smoked pit items and sides. (5 p.m.)
• See “Grease” at ChiTown Movies. (7 p.m.)
• Learn to paint the Northern Lights at Bottle & Bottega. (7 p.m.)
• The Chicago Academy for the Arts kicks off its “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” Festival with two performances. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• NBC’s “Chicago Today” program visited Lakeview’s Recycled Modern this week. “I didn’t see myself in any store that I went into,” owner Shari Currie said about opening the vintage shop at 1152 Diversey Parkway. (NBC)
• It’s the final day to take the Illinois Department of Transportation survey about the state’s rail system. (Illinois Business Journal)
• Local stores are selling out of a limited-edition Ida B. Wells Barbie doll. (Block Club Chicago)
• Two $1 million winning lottery tickets were sold in Chicago this week. (NBC)
• Two Chicago-set films will premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which kicks off virtually this weekend. (Paid source: New York Times)

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That's all for Friday! See you tomorrow for more Lakeview news.

— Georgi Presecky